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wanderingmole's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this book. Stories told with clarity about developing self-knowledge as one grows up and of whakawhanaungatanga. I think my favourite stories were Five-Five, Alphabet Game and All Who Live on Islands. I loved the dialogue between the author’s past selves in Five-Five, and the way the author captures the intensity of teen friendships and the appurtenant fatigue in Alphabet Game. The author is a first generation Chinese New Zealander. The stories have a specificity that reflects that point of view, and so I learned a lot, but also articulate many sentiments to which I could personally relate.
lorrietruck's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this. This was a read-in-one-sitting book. I learnt a lot and also saw myself in it - not many books can do that to a person.
missmary98's review against another edition
4.0
I've said it before and I'll say it again - I LOVE reading books set in New Zealand!!! Seeing my city mentioned many times!!! Making comments about the "poor" and "rich" supermarkets and understanding the jokes and the connotations!!!
Ahem, anyway...
This was recommended to me as part of a course I'm taking to work with ESOL students, and I am very glad that I picked it up and read it. I found some of the essays definitely more interesting than others, but nonetheless, the book on the whole was fantastic and provided valuable insight.
Ahem, anyway...
This was recommended to me as part of a course I'm taking to work with ESOL students, and I am very glad that I picked it up and read it. I found some of the essays definitely more interesting than others, but nonetheless, the book on the whole was fantastic and provided valuable insight.
yekelekey's review against another edition
5.0
Incredible and cathartic, reading this book was like coming home - so many words resonated on a personal level. I found myself caught between that tension that all great books create; of wanting to inhale the book and at the same time wanting to pace myself so I could read it for longer. I honestly didn't want it to end. So very grateful for this book, its existence makes the world a better place.
tchen0822's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
jennynz's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
Quite embarrassed that it took me this long to get around to reading this after numerous recommendations from friends and now I completely understand why.
A must-read for every New Zealander, another thread to weave into the diverse perspectives of our society. I loved Rose’s frank, honest observations, recounted clearly and with empathy. This book felt like a balm.
A must-read for every New Zealander, another thread to weave into the diverse perspectives of our society. I loved Rose’s frank, honest observations, recounted clearly and with empathy. This book felt like a balm.
tbhwhoknows's review against another edition
5.0
saw so much of myself and my family.
words i wish i have.
fav essay i think is all who live on islands
words i wish i have.
fav essay i think is all who live on islands